In a recent interview with License Global magazine, Xbox head of consumer products John Friend confirmed that Halo has seen $1.8 billion in “non-gaming consumer spend” including merchandising and licensed products. Additionally, he confirmed that Microsoft is planning a 25th anniversary event for Xbox and Halo which is both on November 15, 2026. This has led to speculation that Xbox plans to reveal the next Xbox console in this time frame. And as we know a PlayStation 6 is likely in development, this could also mean Xbox will announce its next console in this period.
Additionally, according to a recent related report from Windows Central, Xbox is developing both a traditional and handheld console. “It seems Xbox is full-steam ahead with its next set of console hardware,” reads the report. “We tentatively believe based on our sources to include at least both a traditional-style successor to the Xbox Series X, and Microsoft’s first real foray into Xbox handheld gaming with its own take on the Steam Deck.” Its worth noting none of these claims have been confirmed by Microsoft or Xbox.
Last year, several new and seemingly upcoming Microsoft devices have leaked thanks to unredacted documents that recently surfaced as a result of court cases for the ongoing Microsoft Activision Acquisition. One of the consoles is reportedly a mid-generation version of the Xbox Series X, codenamed “Brooklin”. Similar to the PlayStation 5 digital console, it will lack a disk drive. The console will be a cylindrical shape, 2TB of Storage, will come with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C front port, an all-new southbridge, and more. It will have the “same great price” as the current Xbox Series X at $499. Another leaked console model, codenamed “Ellewood”, is a light refresh of the Xbox Series S. It will have double the storage of the current Xbox Series S, will have the same $299 price,
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A Nintendo Switch trailer was also released.